2018:

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This Weeks News 7/26/2018

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THE LOWEST PROPERTY TAX RATE in Cape May County belongs to Avalon once again, with an overall tax rate of 48.8 cents per $100 of assessed value. Stone Harbor is close behind, with an overall rate of 55.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Both towns have been blessed with increasing ratables, which helps in maintaining low overall tax rates.
 

Looking for lunch: an egret quietly searches for a meal at low tide on Nummy Island, between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood.
 
A NEW KIND OF CONSTRUCTION: Traditional stick-frame construction involves building homes on site, one piece of lumber at a time. A new method of construction is being utilized for a home on 92nd Street, and is the first of its kind on the Island. Large structural panels were fabricated by robots at Blueprint Robotics and built to very precise tolerances, then delivered to the construction site for assembly. The panels are lifted by crane onto the foundation, and permanently fastened. Unlike traditional construction, a whole house can be assembled quickly, minimizing exposure to weather. And unlike "modular" construction, any architectural design can be accommodated. Want to see for yourself? Check out the picture below, or swing by the 200 block of 92nd Street for a look! Pete Markowski of P&M Builders is the general contractor overseeing the project.
 

A structural panel built by robots is moved into position via crane. Once positioned, the crew will fasten it permanently.
 
DESIGNER HOUSE TOUR: Cape Regional's 7 Mile Island Home & Health Show and Designer House Tour will be held on Saturday, August 11. The Home & Health Show opens at 9 am at Avalon Elementary School and admission is free. The Designer House Tour opens at 11 am. Tickets are on sale now for $35 per person at Avalon Chamber of Commerce, by calling 609-463-4040, or you can Purchase Tickets Online. Tickets will also be on sale at the Home & Health Show starting at 9 am on August 11th - stop by early to enjoy the exhibits and leave for the tour from the school. For more information, call Cape Regional Foundation at 609-463-4040.
 
AMERICAN PICKERS Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are bringing their History Channel television show to New Jersey next month where they will film new episodes. The documentary series highlights the world of antique picking, and the show's stars are looking for new collections to explore while filming in New Jersey.
 
TAYLOR SWIFT LOVES STONE HARBOR! At her July 13th concert in Philadelphia, Taylor Swift told her fans about spending her summers in Stone Harbor while growing up. Originally from the Reading, PA area, Swift has mentioned Stone Harbor often during her singing career. Before she became a superstar Swift used to sing at Coffee Talk.

This Weeks News 7/19/2018

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MARKET STATS: The median sale price increased in June 2018, while reduced inventory held back the number of sales. For full market stats View The Latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report.


Click above for the latest market stats!
 
THE TOWNSENDS INLET BRIDGE will close immediately after the summer season so that repair work on seven spans can be completed prior to next Memorial Day. The spans are located on the Avalon side of the bridge, necessitating the closure to automobile traffic immediately after Labor Day. With bad weather possible in January and February, and a March 1st deadline for in-water work imposed by the Department of Environmental Protection, delaying the closure to later in September couldn't be done. The $8.5 million repair contract was awarded to Agate Construction, which just completed repairs to the 96th Street Bridge in Stone Harbor.
 

Whales & dolphins put on a spectacular show! Watch dolphins playing and whales surfacing about 49 miles off Cape May. The video was shot by Paul Leiser (age 14) on the way home from a recent fishing trip, and later edited by Dan Leiser (age 12). Skip ahead to 3:45 for a close up view of whales around the boat!
 
DESGINER HOUSE TOUR: Cape Regional's 7 Mile Island Home & Health Show and Designer House Tour will be held on Saturday, August 11. The Home & Health Show opens at 9 am at Avalon Elementary School and admission is free. The Designer House Tour opens at 11 am. Tickets are on sale now for $35 per person at Avalon Chamber of Commerce, by calling 609-463-4040, or you can Purchase Tickets Online. Tickets will also be on sale at the Home & Health Show starting at 9 am on August 11th - stop by early to enjoy the exhibits and leave for the tour from the school. For more information, call Cape Regional Foundation at 609-463-4040.
 
RAILROAD DAYS at Historic Cold Spring Village takes place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 21st and 22nd, from 10am to 4:30pm. Cape May Seashore Lines will operate historic motorcars, departing Cold Spring Station every 30 minutes from 11am to 4pm both days. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children (note, you must purchase a ticket or admission wristband to Historic Cold Spring Village to purchase motor car tickets.) Railroad displays and working model trains will be available throughout the village.
 
More Information - Historic Cold Spring Village
 
FROM $200,000 to $10,000,000! Whatever your budget, there's something for you on Seven Mile Beach! Whether you want an efficiency condo for weekend getaways, an oceanfront estate, or something in between, call or email me today! I'll listen to your needs and help find the perfect place for you!

This Weeks News 7/12/2018

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OFFSHORE WIND POWER is being pursued again by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, which selected a firm to assist in the formation of an Offshore Wind Strategic Plan, after NJ Governor Murphy's Executive Order setting a goal of producing 3,500 megawatts via offshore wind by 2030. BPU will hold a public hearing near Trenton on July 19 regarding plans for producing the first 1,100 megawatts.
 

A large sport fishing vessel throttles up in the IntraCoastal Waterway behind Seven Mile Island.
 
NOR'EASTER NICK, of SNJ Today, will host the 1st Annual Hurricane & Severe Weather Seminar Wednesday, July 25th at 6:30pm, at the Stone Harbor Municipal Building. Nor'Easter Nick provides weeknight television weather forecasts locally on channel 4's South Jersey News broadcasts at 7pm and 11pm, and will be joined at the seminar by former CBS3 reporter Tom Lamaine, Joe Martucci of the AC Press, and several other weather experts. The seminar is free, but registration is recommended:
Tickets - SNJ Today News Hurricane Seminar.
 
TURTLE SURVEY: The Wetlands Institute would like a few minutes of your help! This brief survey about turtles crossing Stone Harbor Boulevard will take only a couple of moments, but the results will be used to reduce turtle fatalities on local roadways: Survey - Diamondback Terrapin Road Mortality.  
 
SUMMER FLOUNDER are moving to deeper areas as the back bays continue to warm up. Deeper holes which hold cooler water, plus the inlet areas are seeing large flounder caught. Offshore tuna catches have been good, with more mahi mahi and white marlin moving into the area. Want to try your luck? Seek some advice from a local tackle shop, such as Avalon Hodge Podge or Moran's Dockside in Avalon, or Smuggler's Cove in Stone Harbor. Any of the shops can tell you what's hot (and what's not), and they carry the best bait for the catch you're seeking.
 
THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, or NFIP, must be renewed by Congress by July 31st in order to continue issuing policies. At issue is the fact that the NFIP operates in the red, even after $16 billion of debt was forgiven by Congress last year. In the past, Congress has authorized temporary extension of the program while debating long term solutions. It's important to note that in its fifty-year history the program has not lapsed, and even if it did, FEMA would still pay valid flood insurance claims.
 
TWIN CAPES PHOTOS: The M/V Twin Capes, a Cape May-Lewes Ferry vessel intentionally sunk just a few weeks ago in order to form an artificial reef, can be seen in these photos: Wildwood Video Archive - Sunken Cape May Ferry Photos. Although the ferry can't be seen in its entirety due to water conditions, it apparently sunk on its port side instead of its bottom. The new reef is expected to provide a habitat for both bait fish and game fish for decades to come.

This Weeks News 7/3/2018

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IT'S HOT! After several hot & humid days in the 80s and several more in the forecast, summer weather is finally here! Sea breezes have helped keep temperatures just a bit cooler than those on the mainland, and the ocean water temperature has been in the upper 70s, making it the perfect way to refresh on a hot day. 
 
IT FEELS LIKE SUMMER! Both the real estate market and the Island are bustling with activity! Island shops, restaurants and beaches are filled with visitors--with more expected during the holiday week. 
 

Happy 4th of July!
 
WISHING YOU a relaxing and fun-filled Independence Day! Whether you're on the beach, barbequing with family, or entertaining friends, best wishes to you & yours from me!